One-pot fabrication of potent antimicrobial and antiviral films with eco-friendly in situ after-use disposal

Antimicrobial and antiviral films are effective barriers that can impede the transmission of deleterious pathogens and safeguard human health. However, the broad utilization of these materials has been hampered by their costs and availability, difficulties in mass manufacture, and concerns about their accumulation as landfill wastes endangering the ecosystems. Here, we developed a facile process to fabricate potent antimicrobial and antiviral films following one-step in situ thermal curing at 140 degrees C for only 10 min. These films were derived from thermal modifications of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) acidified with sulfuric acid and loaded with 0 - 1 % (w/w) of akaganeite (beta-FeOOH) nanorods. The optimized films rapidly eliminated the majority (80 - 100 %) of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Influenza A viruses after 10 min of surface contact. Moreover, owing to the beta-FeOOH-mediated catalysis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), the composite films can be in situ modified after brief immersion in H2O2 aqueous solutions, and ultimately dissolved to yield 'zero solid waste'. The bacteria-killing efficacies of these films and their dissolution in H2O2 solutions can be easily promoted by simulated sunlight irradiation. This work provides a simple scheme to fabricate powerful antimicrobial and antiviral films using low-cost, readily available, eco-friendly, and highly scalable materials. The current films are promising interface materials to confront widespread outbreaks of infectious bacteria and enveloped viruses without imposing severe environmental burdens.